All of this. See OurOhioRenewal.org and https://ohio-renewal.squarespace.com/ for more. He’s a selfish fraud who equates hopelessness with laziness and, when given the chance to help the people whose trauma he paraded and derided before the public, he chose to exploit them further for his own political and personal gain. The only ones benefiting from his nonprofit were himself and his campaign manager who for some reason was taking a salary for managing who knows what. He’s the worst of the worst.
I was pretty glad to see this pick, too. I read the rumor was that Eric and Don Jr pulled for him because it opens up Thiel money for the campaign. I know pundits were most worried about Burgum and Rubio because of the possibilities of voters they would appeal to, whereas Vance offers none of that. And, of course, as you point out, the fact that he is so open about his anti-democratic beliefs make for much needed copy to continue getting the word out about Project 2025.
Yes, so glad for you to say this! That was my first thought too. This guy makes the ticket easier to beat. Any amount of diversity on the ticket would allow people to continue thinking, oh, he's not really that bad, he can't be planning to actually do all those things in P25 because the [woman, minority] running for VP would never go for that.
Thank you for for this and for speaking so plainly: "The Republican party....is a cult pushing us towards patriarchal biblical rule." I read a Substack by another big name white lady political influencer today who wrote about how we have to "stop dehumanizing and end the violence" without being willing to say which party and which leader it is that's leveraging hate and white supremacy and pushing guns.
As a journalist and journalism prof, this faux "neutral" position that white influencers use makes me feel crazy because it's so dangerous. You can remain likeable and gain a lot of followers (esp white women) by pretending both sides are the same. But you won't save democracy that way, or protect anyone who is vulnerable, and you'll take all of us down with you.
Thank you for taking a stand and speaking truth to power.
Sharon McMahon (my assumption), if you read all of her other articles, is very obviously against the right and Trump. I wouldn’t refer to her as having a “neutral” position by any means! I think that statement was specifically in regards to ending political violence.. that it is not the answer from either side. I do also appreciate Emily being as blunt as she is!
"The Republican party....is a cult pushing us towards patriarchal biblical rule." I have never seen anything half this unequivocal or brave, but I would love to be proven wrong! Preferably by her, repeatedly and without reservation, between now and November!
I don't think you're going to see a statement like that, because Sharon and Emily have different audiences and take different approaches. I absolutely love that line you've quoted, but it's a 'preaching to the choir' sentiment (and I don't think Emily would dispute that!) Sharon's approach - calling out populism, calling out Christian Nationalism, calling out dehumanizing rhetoric, all without naming a political party - is far less incisive than I'd like, to be sure. But it's also somewhere I can aim the people that I know, who are holding on to that veneer of "moderate" Republicanism, and actually get them to take an interest in the values that we're holding without getting defensive about party loyalty. You may see it as faux neutrality, but I've been following her for years and would never frame her approach as "both sides are the same." I get that it's a slow-burn approach that will not turn as many hearts and minds as quickly as I would like, but she's firm in her positions and maintains a moderating effect. She's given the former-Republicans I know a framework for the cognitive dissonance that they're feeling and a way out of the GOP. I assume it's the former-teacher vibe she has to understand that shaming doesn't work to change minds. We need Emilys and we need Sharons, IMO. Two vehicles headed toward the same destination by different paths.
I hope that you are right, but I'm not so sure. For many people I know (women especially) the air of neutrality lets them think that they can vote for harmful candidates and policies and still feel good about themselves without much criticality. I think bringing over so-called "moderates" was a justifiable strategy years ago, but now if you can't call out for the dangers and hate that they represent after all this time, who are you really serving and who are you benefitting? And is this why people continue to follow you--because you allow them to be comfortable?
As a teacher who has actually taught a lot longer than this influencer, I would argue that informing plus critical thinking and analysis, not flattering people's ideas that all viewpoints and ideas are equally valid, is what changes minds. Keeping people comfortable rarely does that, esp when it keeps people comfortable with white supremacy.
"flattering people's ideas that all viewpoints and ideas are equally valid...Keeping people comfortable rarely does that, esp when it keeps people comfortable with white supremacy."
Respectfully, I don't see her doing that, but I understand that we're likely seeing this differently. I really do appreciate you sharing your perspective.
JD Vance HATES women. He especially hates women who are infertile or who make a personal choice not to have kids. I don’t know how or why his wife puts up with him and I am honestly terrified for their children because I’ve seen so many angry posts about how they aren’t white.
All of this. See OurOhioRenewal.org and https://ohio-renewal.squarespace.com/ for more. He’s a selfish fraud who equates hopelessness with laziness and, when given the chance to help the people whose trauma he paraded and derided before the public, he chose to exploit them further for his own political and personal gain. The only ones benefiting from his nonprofit were himself and his campaign manager who for some reason was taking a salary for managing who knows what. He’s the worst of the worst.
I was pretty glad to see this pick, too. I read the rumor was that Eric and Don Jr pulled for him because it opens up Thiel money for the campaign. I know pundits were most worried about Burgum and Rubio because of the possibilities of voters they would appeal to, whereas Vance offers none of that. And, of course, as you point out, the fact that he is so open about his anti-democratic beliefs make for much needed copy to continue getting the word out about Project 2025.
Yes, so glad for you to say this! That was my first thought too. This guy makes the ticket easier to beat. Any amount of diversity on the ticket would allow people to continue thinking, oh, he's not really that bad, he can't be planning to actually do all those things in P25 because the [woman, minority] running for VP would never go for that.
Thank you for for this and for speaking so plainly: "The Republican party....is a cult pushing us towards patriarchal biblical rule." I read a Substack by another big name white lady political influencer today who wrote about how we have to "stop dehumanizing and end the violence" without being willing to say which party and which leader it is that's leveraging hate and white supremacy and pushing guns.
As a journalist and journalism prof, this faux "neutral" position that white influencers use makes me feel crazy because it's so dangerous. You can remain likeable and gain a lot of followers (esp white women) by pretending both sides are the same. But you won't save democracy that way, or protect anyone who is vulnerable, and you'll take all of us down with you.
Thank you for taking a stand and speaking truth to power.
Sharon McMahon (my assumption), if you read all of her other articles, is very obviously against the right and Trump. I wouldn’t refer to her as having a “neutral” position by any means! I think that statement was specifically in regards to ending political violence.. that it is not the answer from either side. I do also appreciate Emily being as blunt as she is!
"The Republican party....is a cult pushing us towards patriarchal biblical rule." I have never seen anything half this unequivocal or brave, but I would love to be proven wrong! Preferably by her, repeatedly and without reservation, between now and November!
I don't think you're going to see a statement like that, because Sharon and Emily have different audiences and take different approaches. I absolutely love that line you've quoted, but it's a 'preaching to the choir' sentiment (and I don't think Emily would dispute that!) Sharon's approach - calling out populism, calling out Christian Nationalism, calling out dehumanizing rhetoric, all without naming a political party - is far less incisive than I'd like, to be sure. But it's also somewhere I can aim the people that I know, who are holding on to that veneer of "moderate" Republicanism, and actually get them to take an interest in the values that we're holding without getting defensive about party loyalty. You may see it as faux neutrality, but I've been following her for years and would never frame her approach as "both sides are the same." I get that it's a slow-burn approach that will not turn as many hearts and minds as quickly as I would like, but she's firm in her positions and maintains a moderating effect. She's given the former-Republicans I know a framework for the cognitive dissonance that they're feeling and a way out of the GOP. I assume it's the former-teacher vibe she has to understand that shaming doesn't work to change minds. We need Emilys and we need Sharons, IMO. Two vehicles headed toward the same destination by different paths.
I hope that you are right, but I'm not so sure. For many people I know (women especially) the air of neutrality lets them think that they can vote for harmful candidates and policies and still feel good about themselves without much criticality. I think bringing over so-called "moderates" was a justifiable strategy years ago, but now if you can't call out for the dangers and hate that they represent after all this time, who are you really serving and who are you benefitting? And is this why people continue to follow you--because you allow them to be comfortable?
As a teacher who has actually taught a lot longer than this influencer, I would argue that informing plus critical thinking and analysis, not flattering people's ideas that all viewpoints and ideas are equally valid, is what changes minds. Keeping people comfortable rarely does that, esp when it keeps people comfortable with white supremacy.
"flattering people's ideas that all viewpoints and ideas are equally valid...Keeping people comfortable rarely does that, esp when it keeps people comfortable with white supremacy."
Respectfully, I don't see her doing that, but I understand that we're likely seeing this differently. I really do appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Thx for a civil convo!
I’m glad and terrified at the same time.
The right has a perfectly orchestrated unified front. The left is again in self sabotage mode.
My fear is the 6% of voters that swing the elections one way or another will see the pretty package and organization and go that way.
I am sad, terrified and depressed. Dems messaging is again, horrific at best.
JD Vance HATES women. He especially hates women who are infertile or who make a personal choice not to have kids. I don’t know how or why his wife puts up with him and I am honestly terrified for their children because I’ve seen so many angry posts about how they aren’t white.
If you want a progressive organization trying to build up the Democratic politician pipeline, I support https://runforsomething.net/how-we-help/ !
Isn’t it ironic that the people who decided to kill 30,000,000+ women in America claim to be the same people that stand FOR women?!??